Fugitive WA massage therapist’s license suspended. He’s charged in human-trafficking case
The license of a massage therapist from Tacoma charged with crimes in Chelan County has been suspended by the Washington Department of Health.
Linhui Yan, 60, is suspended until further legal action, according to a Department of Health news release issued Monday. He is currently being sought by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.
In early March 2023, the Tri-City Herald reported that some of Yan’s massage businesses there were raided as part of a long-term human-trafficking investigation. The search involved the Columbia River Drug Task Force and other agencies.
Yan had registered 13 massage parlors in Washington, including four in Kennewick and two in Seattle, according to the Washington Department of Health statement of charges. Authorities alleged the human trafficking was led by Yan and his wife Yan Yang, 40, from Tacoma.
In late February 2023, Yan was charged in Chelan County Superior Court with leading organized crime, money laundering and promoting prostitution. In 2019, Yan was arrested for two counts of “letting premises for prostitution” in Louisiana, according to charging documents.
Yan advertised illegally, failed to post his license correctly, didn’t follow record-keeping rules and hired unlicensed massage practitioners, according to the Washington Department of Health summary of action documents.
The News Tribune this week asked the Columbia River Drug Task Force for any new information.
“Both suspects are still outstanding,” said Ryan Moody, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office chief of special operations, in an email. “There are no updates at this time.”
Yan and Yang both have warrants out for their arrest, and their whereabouts are unknown, said Moody. It’s believed they are overseas.
People who might have information on their location are asked to call the Columbia River Drug Task Force at 509-664-2310.
This story was originally published August 2, 2023 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Fugitive WA massage therapist’s license suspended. He’s charged in human-trafficking case."
